The next Wandsworth Business Forum will be held on Thursday 11^th June at 7pm-8pm in the Globe Theatre at The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9HD.

 Find out about:

• Wandsworth Council’s response to the recession
• Updates from the Balham Town Centre Partnership
• Free staff training from Train to Gain
• Cutting costs by greening your business.

Also lots of informal networking opportunities!

To attend this FREE event please confirm your place with the Economic Development Office by calling (020) 8871 6884 or emailing edo@wandsworth.gov.uk 

Despite the current challenging economic climate, footfall in Balham has continued to rise. The town centre’s two footfall cameras have recorded a total increase of 8.7% on the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Independent mindbodysoul, the award winning Aveda concept hair salon and urban spa on Balham High Road is growing fast and will be opening a second site at 20 Ritherdon Road. There will be a launch party tomorrow evening and the salon will be open to the public on Friday 1^st May.

IMBS have been providing award winning service and retail experiences to the people of Balham since 2005 and has already established a track record of success and professionalism.

Their new site will offer the very best in beauty, and will cater for the needs and desires of mums and busy people with travel cots in the treatment rooms, dual therapist treatments to get everything done in half the time, a relaxation area, shorter treatment times and a beautiful herb garden to relax in afterwards.

For further information please contact reception on (020) 8772 0208 reception@independentmbs.co.uk

 Look out for the Balham Partnership’s new ‘Balham- Keep it Local’ posters next to the escalators at Balham Tube Station. There are five posters in total urging local residents and visitors to support Balham businesses by spending cash locally. They encourage locals and visitors to explore the town’s shops, cafes, restaurants, entertainment establishments and health and beauty facilities. The posters are up for four weeks until 3rd May 2009.

Congratulations to the Bertie and Boo Coffee Shop who were awarded silver for the Best Neighborhood Coffee Shop in London at Smooth Radio’s Love London Awards on Friday 24^th April in Cafe De Paris. Coffee shop owners Sam and Boo held an aftershow party at the café for their regular customers on Friday evening, where they served cava and carrot cake.  

A great night was had by all yesterday evening at the Twist Spring/ Summer 2009 Fashion Show.

Young fashionistas packed into Harrison’s Restaurant and Bar in Bedford Hill, Balham. Upcoming Jazz singer Hannah Saunders opened the show with an acoustic live set.

Twist launched their own Spring/ Summer 2009 women’s collection, which included vintage inspired maxi dresses, wrap dresses and ‘wear everyday’ shorts and trousers. The show also featured a hand picked selection of clothing from contemporary labels including Darling, Pink Soda and Rainbeaux, which are available from the boutique.

For further information please contact Twist owners Suky Gardiner and Anna O’Shaughnessy at twistboutique@hotmail.com or pop into the Twist Boutique, 25 Harberson Road, Balham (just off Bedford Hill).

Hannah Sanders will perform an acoustic jazz set of original material and heart warming covers for the second Twist fashion show at Harrison’s Restaurant and Bar, 15-19 Bedford Hill on 31st March.

Twist owners, Suky Gardiner and Anna O’Shaughnessy stock a hand picked selection of women’s clothing from contemporary labels such as Darling, Motel, Pink Soda, Peoples Market and Rainbeaux. This season Twist launch their own collection, which includes vintage inspired maxi dresses, pretty wrap dresses and ‘wear everyday’ shorts and trousers. In addition, Twist stock handcrafted jewellery from Hultquist, men’s t-shirts from local label Cell Clothing, a range of bright, colourful baby and toddler clothing from Me Too and Little Mites and wonderful wooden toys from Brio.

Hannah Sanders is one to watch with forthcoming gigs at Ronnie Scotts and a solo pop album out on Sony BMG later this year.  

Twist’s AW08 Fashion Show was jam-packed, so show up early to get your seat for Hannah’s gig at 6.45 pm and the fashion show at 7 pm. Harrison’s will be offering a special set meal for those who would like to stay and make an evening of it – please contact them in advance to book a table.

Harrison's Bar & Restaurant, 15-19 Bedford Hill will be hosting Balham’s first Swishing party on 25th March at 8pm. Swishing is the exciting new guilt-free, totally chic way to not-shop.

Step 1: Bring along 5 items of clean, stylish clothing, shoes or accessories that you think another woman would love.
Step 2: The organisers get the items ready for you whilst you have a drink and wait for browsing time to begin...then the swapping starts!
Step 3: You skip home with some lovely swaps.

Becky, personal stylist and founder of Balham Bou will be on hand with Swishing tips and some special treats from the boutique.

Please bring your items at 8pm on 25th March, the Swishing will begin at 8.30 pm. Entry is £5 on the door.  For more details and to book your place email jo at Balhamstitchnbitch@yahoo.co.uk

A variety of activites will be taking place in Hildreth Street on Friday 13th March in aid of Comic Relief.  Hot Bikram Yoga Studio has a 5 classes in a day Challenge.  In the afternoon (3.45pm to 4.45pm) Balham Leisure Centre will be giving out free day passes, offering health checks, free personal needs analysis, body fat testing and getting members of the public to take part in prize draws, sweep stakes etc... Devotion, Balham Bou and several other businesses also have fun activities planned. 

Following the success of the two trial markets last year Le Marchè Français Authentique, an authentic French Market, will be returning to Hildreth Street Market Friday 3rd April to Sunday 5th April.